Thoughts on my chances? 3.30 GPA (kind of)

[dell20]

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Hey everyone,
I've been lurking for a while, honestly too scared to post my stats, but here goes!

I have 57 credits from a college that are now anywhere from 7-10 years old... They're bad. Like 1.96 GPA bad. I started out as a computer science major and hated it. Dropped out and went into the real world for several years.

Fast forward 4 years, and I decided to go back to school... I ended up graduating with 3.30 GPA having double majors in physics and applied mathematics. (I decided to do some of the hardest majors I could possibly find for some reason. 🙂 )

I am currently finishing up my prereqs (OChem I/II and Bio I/II) (so far all A's), and will be taking the MCAT in July.

The thing I really have going for me is my research... I have about 4 years of research experience in biophysics and radiology: Currently I have 9 abstracts, posters and presentations, as well as 1 manuscript under review to (hopefully) be published.

I also have 60 hours (and counting) of shadowing an awesome DO.

My question is the obvious one: How much will that bad starting GPA weigh me down? Do I have a realistic shot at all? (Not sure how much this may play a factor, but I'm Hispanic, as well)

Thank you all so much!

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Did you retake the classes or just forget about them. What is your gpa with every class you have taken? And if you did retake a class, figure your gpa using the aacomas grade replacement policy. Then we can give better and more accurate advice.

 

[dell20]

Thank you both for the very quick replies! I assume I'm out of the running for MD, so the plan was to apply strictly DO (unless I hear suggestions otherwise)

My cumulative GPA, including ALL classes is currently a 2.85. My science GPA is a 3.103.

When I remove those classes I retook, with the AACOMAS grade replacement, I bump up to a cGPA of 3.107, and a Science GPA of 3.302.

Thanks again!

 

[FrkyBgStok]

I think even being hispanic, this cycle you have no chance at MD. At least no viable chance. You can try. Do well on the mcat and I think you could have some luck with DO schools. Your past gpa will affect you. But you can succeed. Apply right and you got it.

 

[dell20]

Okay, thanks for your thoughts on this... I was assuming I'd have to knock the MCAT out of the park. 🙂

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if DO schools care about research as much as MD schools? I've been looking at a few school websites, and research experience is rarely mentioned. I'm just wondering if my strong research background will help my chances.

 

[DanGee777]

I think even being hispanic, this cycle you have no chance at MD. At least no viable chance. You can try. Do well on the mcat and I think you could have some luck with DO schools. Your past gpa will affect you. But you can succeed. Apply right and you got it.

I agree. Looking at the MCAT/GPA grid for Hispanic applicants applying to US MD schools over the past 3 years shows that there isn't much good news for dell20.


For Hispanic applicants with GPAs between 2.80 and 2.99 over the past 3 years, a 24-26 MCAT gave them a 24% shot at MD admission. Chances improved to 30.1% for 27-29, 36.1% for 30-32, 40.0% for 33-35, and 45.5% for 36-38. Interestingly, 1 Hispanic applicant applied over the past 3 years with a GPA between 2.80 and 2.99 and an MCAT of 39+. He was accepted, making the acceptance rate for that cohort 100%.

Dell20, first question I have for you is what is your state of residence?

You are taking the MCAT in July, which means your application would go complete in August at some schools if you applied this year and submitted secondaries before finding out your MCAT. From what is posted on here, that is not super early in the process (some applicants, but it isn't super late either. A reputable poster on here has stated that applications complete after 9/1 start to decrease in viability, so if you work on some secondary applications after you write your MCAT, then you will go complete at these schools before September comes around.

I recommend that you keep practicing for your MCAT (check out the MCAT forum on here for good study tips), and if you are scoring quite well on practice exams (32 or 33+), I recommend that you submit some secondaries (say 10 or so apps to low-tier MD schools, if you can afford it) and then take your MCAT. If your MCAT comes back and it's below 33, see what happens at the schools to which you already submitted secondaries, because you are now complete at those schools, for better or worse. If you score a 31, for example, then maybe you'll get lucky and get an acceptance somewhere. If it's 33 or above, I'd consider applying to 10 more schools (again, target low-tier MD schools with some mid-tiers thrown in). Some of the schools have 10th percentile cumulative GPAs of 3.2 or 3.3 for matriculated applicants, rather than 3.4 or 3.5 -- these schools obviously give you better chances at admission. Don't even bother applying to any top 40 ranked MD schools unless you crack the MCAT wide open (36+), but even then it's probably still a waste given your cumulative GPA.

 

[dell20]

Hi DanGee, thanks so much for your input!

I'm from Colorado, so my in state options are rather limited (1 MD school, 1 DO school).

Those statistics you gave are very helpful, I had thought that MD was likely out of the running, but this somewhat confirms my decision. I do like your suggestion on gambling and submitting a few applications to lower ranked MD programs, but for the most part, I will focus on DO schools. The grade replacement thing certainly helps my numbers.

I do plan to have my applications submitted beforehand, so that way it's just a matter of waiting on my MCAT scores, but it'd be good to get a jump start on secondaries. I start my TPR review course very soon, and will work my butt off!